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Neighbors try to save Loring fountain

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June 9, 2003 // UPDATED 10:51 am - April 30, 2007

By: Ellen Nigon

Ellen Nigon

This summer, water isn't supposed to run through Loring Park's dandelion-like Berger Fountain - but that may change. Citizens for a Loring Park Community, a neighborhood organization, is trying to raise enough money to turn their marquee fountain back on.

"Berger Fountain is the main defining feature of the park," said Richard Anderson, president of CLPC. "There's a lot of interest in keeping it running."

Berger Fountain, like all other city display fountains, was not turned on this year to save money. According to a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board spokesperson, keeping the fountain dry saves $40,000.

Operating the fountain costs $15,000 (the rest of the $40,000 is for maintenance). However, neighborhood residents hope to raise $10,000 and reduce the hours the fountain is on. Anderson said the fountain had run from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., but residents would be willing to reduce that to approximately 12 hours.

Representatives from each of the approximately seven buildings surrounding the park are working with their residents to raise funds, said Anderson. Residents hope to have the $10,000 in hand by Saturday, June 14.

Anderson said this effort would be part of a continuing initiative to raise money to renovate Berger Fountain, which needs repairs. Said Anderson, "In a way, it's good that this happened, because it will draw attention to the Berger Fountain."